Kwik-Fit's £200k shocker

27th February 2007

Angry bosses say that's the cost of recycling all the thousands of worn tyres illegally dumped at its UK forecourts.

Director David White said he suspects small industry players. "Most of the tyres arrive without rims from unscrupulous mobile fitters dumping old rubber," he explained.

The company has installed CCTV cameras at some of its worst-hit sites to help catch the culprits. However, a Kwik-Fit spokesman admitted: "This makes the opportunist fly-tipper think twice, but the professional 'knows' how to disguise themselves and their vehicle to avoid detection."

The problem has worsened since new rules banned tyres from landfill sites last year. This led to increased disposal costs of up to £1.30 per tyre. Kwik-Fit charges motorists £1 to get rid of old rubber.

Meanwhile, the world's first automatic tread depth checker has been revealed. The technology is being laun­ched in April by maker Treadcheck, which has carried out tests on lorry tyres. Now the firm says the mat-mounted sensor could find its way to filling station forecourts for car owners to use.